Japan has seen a significant increase in tourism following the pandemic, with over three million visitors in March this year. For example, visitors must now pay a fee and reserve a spot in advance to hike Mt. Fuji’s Yoshida Trail. Additionally, tourists are no longer allowed to enter certain parts of Kyoto’s geisha district to manage the entry of visitors.
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To protect the delicate ecosystem and ensure the safety of climbers, new regulations on visitor numbers will be implemented starting July 1, 2024, on the Yoshida Trail.
The trail will have a daily limit of 4,000 climbers, and a ¥2,000 entry fee will be charged to contribute to trail maintenance and environmental protection. Climbing the Yoshida trail will also be restricted from 4 pm to 3 am to reduce congestion and prevent accidents in low-visibility conditions.
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In Fujikawaguchiko, a popular spot for viewing Mt. Fuji, a large mesh net is being constructed to block the view of the mountain at a Lawson store due to tourist misbehaviour. This move comes after Japan experienced a surge in tourism, with visitor numbers crossing three million in March for the first time. The mesh net will be 8ft high and about 65ft in length and is expected to be ready by mid-May.
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On a positive note, a new bullet train now connects Tokyo to the coastal prefecture of Fukui, offering visitors the opportunity to explore less crowded areas such as charming fishing villages, ancient temples, and beautiful hot springs.
The travel time between Tokyo and the final stop, the port town of Tsuruga, will take just about three hours, a 50-minute improvement compared to the current options. The newest E7/W7 Shinkansen trains offer panoramic windows and free Wi-Fi during the journey.
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